Simeone relishing role as closer

Joe Simeone seen here during a no-hitter for Groton-Dunstable against Westboro in the spring has embraced the role of closer with the Wachusett Dirt Dawgs. Sentinel & Enterprise FILE PHOTO

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WORCESTER -- Joe Simeone loves the challenge.

He loves the challenge of grabbing ahold of a baseball and trying to get batters out.

Simeone -- a 2017 Groton-Dunstable Regional High School graduate -- is getting hitters out at a pretty ferocious pace as the lights-out closer of the Wachusett Dirt Dawgs of the Futures Collegiate Baseball League.

"It's been great to face college competition every day, and not knowing what I'm going up against," Simeone said. "It's been fun learning from all the other guys and it's been a great opportunity. I've just been trying to pitch well every time I go out there."

The 6-foot-3, 215-pound Simeone has been a force out of the bullpen for the surging Dirt Dawgs.

Simeone, 18, sported a glossy 0.79 ERA in his first 111/3 innings pitched, but a brief hiccup in his last appearance, where he allowed four earned runs, increased his ERA to a still-respectable 3.64.

In 121/3 innings pitched, the FCBL all-star has yielded only eight hits and six walks, posting six saves and striking out 24 batters.

When the Dirt Dawgs have the lead late, Simeone has proven time and time again that he can lock down the ninth inning to preserve victories for his club.

"It's a nice thing knowing that if we have a lead in the ninth I can give the ball to Joe and be pretty confident that he will finish," he said. "He hasn't let me down yet.

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Simeone has appeared in 11 games and has stuck out at least one batter in every appearance. He's only pitched more than one inning twice -- two scoreless frames with four strikeouts to earn the win against the Pittsfield Suns on June 16 and 11/3 innings on June 13 for a victory against the Bristol Blues at home.

A starter in high school, Simeone admits closing is an adjustment, but he's certainly embraced the experience.

"Going in I was just trying to get innings and do whatever coach wanted me to do," Simeone said.

"But it's been fun closing because every time you go out it means something.

"It's a lot of fun. It's one pitch at a time and you have to be focused on that one batter and every pitch. It's fun trying to come in and let it loose for one inning."

Simeone's desire and work ethic have separated him from the rest of the pack.

"Joe is the hardest worker on the pitching staff," Generelli said. "Whenever I look at him he's sweating. He's got a work ethic that can't be taught. He's a fierce who that gives everything he has on each pitch. He's not afraid to challenge hitters: 'Here's my best fastball, let me see if you can hit it.' So far this season, they haven't.

Former Leominster High ace Steve Colella -- the current pitching coach of the Dirt Dawgs -- gushes when he talks about Simeone.

"Joe is the type of kid you want to have on your team as a coach," said Colella, who also pitched for the Dirt Dawgs during his playing days. "He has a presence on the field that really makes our team up their game. Not only does he show up do his job and work hard, but he's always trying to get better. He's very coachable and together we've added a little life to his fastball and got his breaker sharper. Joe will be a great addition to the UConn program and has a chance to play after school."

Simeone won a Division 3 state championship as a junior with Groton-Dunstable in 2016. The Crusaders went undefeated the entire year, defeating North Reading, 5-4, to cap off a perfect season at 23-0.

That season, Simeone had a 0.52 ERA and was 8-0 on the mound with one save. He struck out 88 batters in 532/3 innings pitched. He allowed only 22 hits and walked 22, while firing five complete games in nine total appearances.

It was a season Simeone will never forget.

"I remember going to the field having fun with the guys at every practice and every game," he said. "We were pretty close friends. I'll always remember that; it was awesome.

"I'll always remember that team. They were all my best friends, and going undefeated is tough to do, especially in baseball. It was awesome."

Groton-Dunstable coach Matt LeBlanc has watched Simeone blossom into a dominant power pitcher who loves the game of baseball.

"In Joe's first start his junior year, the word was already out and there were, I believe, two or three scouts there to see him," LeBlanc said. "The radar guns started to be the norm when Joe was on the bump. He created a buzz. His fastball was consistently sitting between 87-89 (mph) and he would touch 90-91. He has always been a power pitcher. He is very confident with his fastball and throws it in all counts. He also throws a change, curveball and slider. If he has three of the four working, goodnight."

This past high school season, Simeone had a fabulous senior campaign, posting a 6-2 record and a 1.17 ERA with 67 strikeouts in 48 innings. He yielded 22 hits and 26 walks.

With the bat, Simeone hit .339 with two home runs and 13 RBIs.

"This year, I believe Joe had to be one the top two-way players in the state," LeBlanc said. "He made major contributions all season at the plate and playing first base. Each year he continued to improve his pitching and hitting. Joe is very passionate about baseball and could play every day. He trains year-round to raise his game.

"Joe has a confidence and energy about him that his peers gravitate toward. He has fun every time he takes the field. I think when one of your top players embraces this type of attitude it impacts the whole team in a positive way. Joe is fierce competitor. He wants to dominate and ultimately crush the other team. He steps it up on game day."

Simeone will be off to the University of Connecticut on a partial baseball scholarship.

"I got about 40 percent," Simeone said.

He said he was sold on playing for the Huskies after his official visit.

"I love the coaches there and on the official I liked all the guys, too," Simeone said. "It was a great atmosphere and something I wanted to be a part of."

Added Wachusett Dirt Dawgs owner John Morrison: "We know there's great area talent, but the way Joe has jumped into the closer role with such success has been one of several terrific stories for us this summer and points to him being a special talent that will be fun to watch as his college career progresses at UConn."

Simeone will not be forgotten at Groton-Dunstable, says LeBlanc.

"We are really going to miss Joe at G-D, but couldn't be more proud of what he has been able to accomplish," LeBlanc said. "Earning a scholarship to attend and play baseball for the University of Connecticut is incredible."